Please Can I talk with someone who has some common sence!

I am interested in working at Erac, even after hearing everyone's whinning and b**tching and complaining. I need to have people's objective answers to some of my questions, because this is the only forum on the internet regarding enterprise rent a car.

Erac says they hire individuals with an entrepreneurial drive so they can eventualy run the business. Is it like a franchise? Is there anyone who posts here that hasn't quit before being promoted?

It seems like such a riggamaru to get into Erac and how they look for intelligent people (with 1-5 year degree, and at least 1 year sales exp), so I really can't understand where all these upset individuals are coming from. I worked at Tim Hortins and dealt with customers complaining that there medium double double's weren't made right, but looking at the entire picture, it's a really great company to work for, a few bad eggs...there always is some...or many.

What I would like to know is your motivation for working for erac? When you reach the Branch Manager Position, will you be moved to another branch or will you then have to open up your own Enterprise company.

Thank you Muchly.

-Angela

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am interested in working at Erac, even after hearing everyone's whinning and b**tching and complaining. I need to have people's objective answers to some of my questions, because this is the only forum on the internet regarding enterprise rent a car.

Erac says they hire individuals with an entrepreneurial drive so they can eventualy run the business. Is it like a franchise? Is there anyone who posts here that hasn't quit before being promoted?

It seems like such a riggamaru to get into Erac and how they look for intelligent people (with 1-5 year degree, and at least 1 year sales exp), so I really can't understand where all these upset individuals are coming from. I worked at Tim Hortins and dealt with customers complaining that there medium double double's weren't made right, but looking at the entire picture, it's a really great company to work for, a few bad eggs...there always is some...or many.

What I would like to know is your motivation for working for erac? When you reach the Branch Manager Position, will you be moved to another branch or will you then have to open up your own Enterprise company.

Thank you Muchly.

-Angela

Angela....Feel free to ask away. For the most part you will get the truth here about working at ERAC. The language may be rough, but it is frank and to the point.

[Popper1977]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am interested in working at Erac, even after hearing everyone's whinning and b**tching and complaining. I need to have people's objective answers to some of my questions, because this is the only forum on the internet regarding enterprise rent a car.

Erac says they hire individuals with an entrepreneurial drive so they can eventualy run the business. Is it like a franchise? Is there anyone who posts here that hasn't quit before being promoted?

It seems like such a riggamaru to get into Erac and how they look for intelligent people (with 1-5 year degree, and at least 1 year sales exp), so I really can't understand where all these upset individuals are coming from. I worked at Tim Hortins and dealt with customers complaining that there medium double double's weren't made right, but looking at the entire picture, it's a really great company to work for, a few bad eggs...there always is some...or many.

What I would like to know is your motivation for working for erac? When you reach the Branch Manager Position, will you be moved to another branch or will you then have to open up your own Enterprise company.

Thank you Muchly.

-Angela

Thank you muchly? Sounds like the perfect candidate for ERAC.

Originally Posted by Robert

Angela....Feel free to ask away. For the most part you will get the truth here about working at ERAC. The language may be rough, but it is frank and to the point.

Hi Robert

Thanks for the response. I understand the language is rough, coming from irate ex-employees. I myself have had bad experiences with other companies, I'm sure everyone can relate. I'm just looking for some feedback.

Cheers!

-Angela

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi Robert

Thanks for the response. I understand the language is rough, coming from irate ex-employees. I myself have had bad experiences with other companies, I'm sure everyone can relate. I'm just looking for some feedback.

Cheers!

-Angela

I can give you a summary of the job without trying to interject opinion:

1) The hours are long. 50 hour minimum weeks are the norm and 60+ hour weeks can happen too.
2) Your job duties will basically consist of picking up customers from their homes, bodyshops, and dealerships. You will write these peoples rental agreements up as well. When the rental agreement is printed up you will take the customer to their rental and this is where arguably the most critical part of your future success will come. You will try to sell optional protection services, often called "dub".
3) Other job duties include answering alot of calls. These calls are usually requests for pickups or people making reservations. However, anything is possible when you pick up that phone. The veterans in here can attest to that.
4) Since most of the people in ERAC branches are under 30, there is obviously alot of drinking and socializing after work. If you are not the party type, you might not like the pressure to participate. And to be perfectly blunt, if you are attractive you will get hit on relentlessly.
5) Women do have an advantage at ERAC though, I do believe they want to promote women when and where they can. Just research it carefully before you make a decision. Most of the people on this site had bad experiences here, just read some of the threads on here.

Good Luck!

Yeah I am a girl erac-er and all the managers kiss my ass, they will be nice to u, but the job still sucks. Pervery men hit on u all the time, I dont even get into the stories, and its sucks , fucking ESQI u just have to sit there and listen to them be dirty and annoying.........................

If you have a good work ethic you'll love this job. Its tough but what job isn't, especially in customer service. The people that bitch here are mainly the ones that can't make it or are getting passed up for promotions. It is tough for anyone to get passed up, you just can't let it wear on ya. There are politics with any company. Many people get this job right out of college, so it is their first job...they are expecting a sweet job and don't realize that the shit that they are experiencing with ERAC, they would experience anywhere else. I've found that the people that appreciate the atmosphere at ERAC are the ones that have had other jobs and seen the dark side. All the new kids have high expectations, quit, then whine about their new jobs or lie about how "great" they are.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am interested in working at Erac, even after hearing everyone's whinning and b**tching and complaining. I need to have people's objective answers to some of my questions, because this is the only forum on the internet regarding enterprise rent a car.

Erac says they hire individuals with an entrepreneurial drive so they can eventualy run the business. Is it like a franchise? Is there anyone who posts here that hasn't quit before being promoted?

It seems like such a riggamaru to get into Erac and how they look for intelligent people (with 1-5 year degree, and at least 1 year sales exp), so I really can't understand where all these upset individuals are coming from. I worked at Tim Hortins and dealt with customers complaining that there medium double double's weren't made right, but looking at the entire picture, it's a really great company to work for, a few bad eggs...there always is some...or many.

What I would like to know is your motivation for working for erac? When you reach the Branch Manager Position, will you be moved to another branch or will you then have to open up your own Enterprise company.

Thank you Muchly.

-Angela

Do you want to rent cars for a living.......?
Yes people complain at Tim Horton's over coffee and eggs....now picture someone who just totaled their brand new SUV, and you have to pick them up and put them into a smaller car. Like they weren't pissed off enough. Its not like you can rebrew an SUV.
Getting promoted I found to be easy...but they put so much shit on you that you find its better to have stayed under the radar.
The hirng process may look like they are doing a good job to bring in people, but when you look at who they bring in it is pretty much the same type of people. They don't want new ideas, they have a model that they think works.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am interested in working at Erac, even after hearing everyone's whinning and b**tching and complaining. I need to have people's objective answers to some of my questions, because this is the only forum on the internet regarding enterprise rent a car.

Erac says they hire individuals with an entrepreneurial drive so they can eventualy run the business. Is it like a franchise? Is there anyone who posts here that hasn't quit before being promoted?

It seems like such a riggamaru to get into Erac and how they look for intelligent people (with 1-5 year degree, and at least 1 year sales exp), so I really can't understand where all these upset individuals are coming from. I worked at Tim Hortins and dealt with customers complaining that there medium double double's weren't made right, but looking at the entire picture, it's a really great company to work for, a few bad eggs...there always is some...or many.

What I would like to know is your motivation for working for erac? When you reach the Branch Manager Position, will you be moved to another branch or will you then have to open up your own Enterprise company.

Thank you Muchly.

-Angela

Angela,

Several quick points - keep in mind I was ruthlessly screwed by ERAC, so my point-of-view may be a bit slanted.

1) The description of the job as posted on this thread is largely accurate. There's no doubt it's a tough job. I made it to Branch Manager before I finally burned out. If you can succeed at ERAC, chances are very good you can succeed most anywhere.

2) Make sure ERAC is NOT your only option. Believe me it will do you good to see what other things are out there for you. If you do take the ERAC job, cool, but DON'T drink the kool-aid that they'll feed you that ERAC is the best company since sliced bread. They are a good company (overall), but there are many other good (and plenty better) companies, too.

3) If you take the job, take it with the attitude that you will do your best for the company and try to get promoted quickly (the money really sucks at lower levels), but ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS keep your options open. Life at ERAC can be very depressing if it feels like you're stuck there. And if you don't get promoted the way you feel you deserve (most people don't), then don't worry. ERAC is a great company to have on your resume - I quit without having spent 2 minutes looking for a new job, and landed one inside of 3 weeks where I work fewer hours and get paid more.

4) From day ONE, save some of each paycheck in an "emergency" fund. ERAC makes it very hard to look for other work and I really wish I would've had some money to live on without maxing out credit cards once I quit. Having this fund will also give you greater confidence that there would be light at the end of the tunnel if your career at ERAC comes to an end.

5) Document everything. Of course the bad things, but mostly I mean the GOOD things, too. Every time you get a "great job!" from your manager, or hit a significant achievement, document it for your own purposes (future resumes, interviews for promotions, etc) but also for HR purposes. It's amazing how little most HR departments know about the good things their employees do. Most just know the dirt in case they need to fire someone.

Well, I could go on, but I think you get my points. Best of luck!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Do you want to rent cars for a living.......?
Yes people complain at Tim Horton's over coffee and eggs....now picture someone who just totaled their brand new SUV, and you have to pick them up and put them into a smaller car. Like they weren't pissed off enough. Its not like you can rebrew an SUV.
Getting promoted I found to be easy...but they put so much shit on you that you find its better to have stayed under the radar.
The hirng process may look like they are doing a good job to bring in people, but when you look at who they bring in it is pretty much the same type of people. They don't want new ideas, they have a model that they think works.

Hi Thanks for the perspective.

<Do you want to rent cars for a living.......?>
That's a good question.
The Job I am doing now is a glorified "tracer" I am Tracing someone elses work. So that's what I do for a living, and it ain't that glamourous. I have done many jobs that were below me, and I have a good understanding now what I DON'T want to do.

I am taking an outsider's look in at Erac with no personal experience of my own, working there and so there is a difference between reading about what it's like to "rent cars" then to actualy experience the job day to day.

I am looking at the long term at working at Erac. How will and can it benefit myself. Even if it turns out to be something I will not make a "living" at, if I can take away one good thing that I have learned, then it's worth it.

Can every one of you who quit Erac out of frustration say you learned one good thing?

What would I "do for a living" if I had the choice...probably sit on the beach and drink martini's, write and play video games on my laptop...yadda yadda. But that ain't the real world.

Sales is tough, because it's front line work, dealing with customers is tough, because customers are fickle.

I understand that Erac has a system, every company has there own system that they feel "work" for them, I don't assume to walk in there and tell them how "they" should run thier company, what do I know about running a enterprise like Erac? "thats just foolish".
I'd rather just start my own business if I wanted to "play by my rules".

If I had to pick up a customer who had thier SUV totaled, I'd sympathize with them...but it's not like I'm imposing on them, THEY called Erac...they want help, we are servicing them. Thick skin, don't take it personally.

Thanks for the insight.

-Angela